The gameplay trailer forDragon Age: The Veilguarddepicted part of the prologue of the game. WhileDragon Age: The Veilguardbegins in Minrathous, the chaos and destruction caused by Solas' ritual is seen even there, far from the ritual site. The tears in the Veil are evident across Minrathous, causing demons to pour from the Fade. Solas' ritual is interrupted, and doesn’t appear to be successful. Despite this, the effects of the ritual may still affect Thedas.
TheDragon Age: The Veilguarddevelopers have hinted that Solas' ritual may have affected Thedas and players could see a more magical world, while there are otherclues from previousDragon Agegamesthat indicate the Veil will collapse, and how that world could look if the Fade and Thedas were to merge.
Thedas is Unraveling in Dragon Age: The Veilguard
InDragon Age: The Missing, the Arlathan Forest is depicted as a place haunted by magic and monstrous beings that are touched by magic. As Varric and Harding venture into the Forest, they discover that the Veil has collapsed in places, allowing magic to alter the Arlathan Forest in unpredictable and unstable ways. Examples of the magical effects include pockets where up is down, time is reversed, and where one’s spirit is removed from their body. Creatures such as varterrals are more aggressive in the Arlathan Forest, even to elves.Dragon Age: The Veilguardindicates that there are Fade-touched creatures that also dwell in the Forest.
It’s likely that, with Solas' ritual, the damage done to the Veil in Arlathan Forest will spread beyond it and across Northern Thedas. While the Arlathan Forest is an example of what could happen to the rest ofThedas without the Veil, there are still a number of unknown effects that the other games have hinted at before, along with Solas' description of the world before the Veil. With Thedas' return to its natural state, pockets of Thedas could be akin to a high fantasy setting, with spirits and the living co-existing peacefully.
Thedas Without a Veil From Previous Dragon Age Games
InDragon Age 2, if Sandal is selected enough times, he’ll give a chilling few lines: “One day the magic will come back - all of it. Everyone will be just like they were. The shadows will part, and the skies will open wide. When he rises, everyone will see.” While these lines could be about another event or character, or even a throwaway, they mirrorSolas and his goals, in that magic was once a natural part of the world and a normal part of being elven. Solas doesn’t mention what the other lineage races were like before the Veil’s existence, such as humans, dwarves, and Qunari, but if Sandal’s words reflect the effect the destruction of the Veil will have, they will perhaps return to the beings they were before the creation of the Veil. Alternatively, the other lineage races may also be able to use magic like the elves.
The Breach inDragon Age: Inquisitionwoke a Titan, leading to the events ofDragon Age: The Descent. In it, Shaper Valta is hit by a blast from the Titan, forming a connection with her and giving her magic. BioWare has confirmed thatHarding, a dwarf companion, will have unexpected magical abilities, which is unheard of for a dwarf outside the incident with Shaper Valta.
If this is the case, it may be possible that the Titans are stirring because of Solas' ritual and the numerous tears in the Veil, with some parts of the Veil disappearing altogether. Harding may have been exposed to a Titan and received her magic from it or, because she’s a surface dwarf, the destruction of the Veil and her exposure to various artifacts related to the Veil over the years sinceDragon Age: Inquisitionmay have made her more susceptible to magic.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard
WHERE TO PLAY
Enter the world of Thedas, a vibrant land of rugged wilderness, treacherous labyrinths, and glittering cities – steeped in conflict and secret magics. Now, a pair of corrupt ancient gods have broken free from centuries of darkness and are hellbent on destroying the world.Thedas needs someone they can count on. Rise as Rook, Dragon Age’s newest hero. Be who you want to be and play how you want to play as you fight to stop the gods from blighting the world. But you can’t do this alone – the odds are stacked against you. Lead a team of seven companions, each with their own rich story to discover and shape, and together you will become The Veilguard.
